Taylor Robinson was influenced by 'old school' mentor, report finds

VANCOUVER — A police officer docked one day’s pay for shoving a physically disabled woman to the sidewalk in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and then walking away was influenced by an “old school” mentor with “outlandish” attitudes about patrolling in the downtrodden neighbourhood, according to an external police investigation.

Const. Taylor Robinson and two other Vancouver Police Department [VPD] officers were on routine foot patrol two years ago when they encountered Sandy Davidsen, a local resident who suffers from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Ms. Davidsen has trouble walking. She lightly brushed against Const. Robinson, who gave her a shove.

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Ms. Davidsen hit the pavement. The three officers continued on their way without offering her assistance. Const. Robinson explained later that he thought the woman was attempting to grab his service revolver. The incident was recorded by surveillance video, and Ms. Davidsen launched a complaint that received wide media attention.

Officers with New Westminster Police Department’s professional standards unit were asked to investigate. They found no evidence that Ms. Davidsen had reached for the officer’s revolver, as claimed.

During the New Westminster Police Department’s investigation, a detective interviewed Vancouver constable Eric Kerasiotis, who was known to patrol the Downtown Eastside with a wooden bat. He had “mentored” Const. Robinson in certain training sessions.

“Constable Kerasiotis advised [the detective] that Davidsen was angry she was pushed but ‘sh– like this happens’ and further stated how ‘pissed off’ he was that a complaint was laid,” reads the New Westminster investigation report, obtained Wednesday by the National Post.

“Constable Kerasiotis describes himself as ‘old school’ and further makes no attempt to conceal his philosophies, perspectives/beliefs and practices on how the [Downtown Eastside] should be policed,” the report continues. “Constable Robinson’s exposure to Constable Kerasiotis during his block two training was no doubt a contributing factor to what occurred between him and Davidsen.”

Vancouver police conducted their own investigation of the shoving incident, and Const. Kerasiotis was interviewed again.

“We all know what happened,” he told VPD investigators, according to a report they filed last month. “[Ms. Davidsen] walked in between them and got drilled and she knows that, I know that, everybody knows that… I mean I’ve walked down the street and guys have gotten between me and my partner; I’ve drilled them. That’s how you deal with it, you know.”

Const. Kerasiotis’ comments are described in the VPD report as “rather shocking” and “outlandish.”

There has been a spate of assault allegations levelled at police working in the Downtown Eastside, a dangerous place especially for women. “Even while the Commissioner of the Missing Women Inquiry writes a report about how the murders and disappearances of women in the Downtown Eastside were not a priority for police, a case in which a vulnerable, disabled woman is assaulted by a police officer again appears not to matter,” says B.C. Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby.

An inspector from the VPD’s professional standards section concluded that Const. Robinson’s actions constituted abuse of authority and neglect of duty. He did not find that the constable’s statements to investigators were deceitful.

One charge of assault was laid against Const. Robinson, but a stay of criminal proceedings was approved by B.C.’s Criminal Justice Branch in February, on the basis that Const. Robinson had completed certain “alternative measures” requirements. These included the completion of a course in conflict resolution, and a written apology to Ms. Davidsen.

In fact, Ms. Davidsen received two almost identical letters from Const. Robinson. “I am supposed to act as a servant to the public and I do always have the public’s best interest in mind,” both letters read. “Regrettably, the way I acted that day did not represent that. In hindsight, I wish that I would not have walked away from you, but, rather, helped you back up to your feet. I wish I had asked you if you needed any medical assistance… If it were possible to go back and do it over again, I would not have walked away from you while you were lying there.” Const. Robinson also expressed regret at his “use of force” against Ms. Davidsen. “I thought at the time that you were attempting to reach for my firearm,” he wrote.

The first letter was sent unsigned, something Ms. Davidsen found offensive, according to her Vancouver-based lawyer, Scott Bernstein. Neither letter goes far enough, he added. “They try to justify his actions.” His client has filed a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal claim against Const. Robinson and is suing him in court, claiming emotional damages in the amount of $25,000.

The constable no longer walks the Downtown Eastside beat; however, the shoving incident still follows him. Earlier this month, B.C.’s police complaint commissioner rejected a punishment proposed by the VPD: Additional training and the loss of one day’s pay. Const. Robinson is to appear at a formal disciplinary hearing in October.

Const. Kerasiotis, meanwhile, “has been re-educated and no longer works in the [Downtown Eastside] environment,” according to the VPD.
National Postbhutchinson@nationalpost.com